Bluefin Tuna Commands Historic Bid of $3.2m at Japanese Capital Auction

A massive bluefin tuna made headlines at the Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen (3.2 million US dollars; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the new year.

The successful offer for the 243-kilogram fish came from the company of a popular sushi chain, which operates outlets throughout Japan and internationally.

"An inaugural tuna brings good luck," commented the company president, a notable participant at the annual new year's auction.

Dubbed the Tuna King, this businessman is renowned for submitting high bids for bluefin tuna at these auspicious year-opening auctions.

Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past

Following the auction, the winner told reporters that he was "surprised at the final price," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little at a lower price, but the price escalated in no time."

This latest acquisition exceeds his own historic purchases:

• He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He paid 155 million yen in 2013.
• In 2019, he won a tuna for 333.6 million yen (2.1 million dollars).

Even after previously remarking that he thought he "overdid it," he has now managed to surpass his own record once again.

A Tradition of High Prices

The inaugural auction at the Toyosu fish market is notoriously known for exorbitant prices. The previous year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate culinary group, which indicated the fish would be available at its eateries throughout the country.

The frenetic atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-dawn auctions has evolved into a must-see event in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling.

Swift Service

The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter prepared for customers at the entrepreneur's sushi chains immediately after the auction was finished.

"I feel like I've begun the year in a good way after consuming something so auspicious as the year starts," said one elated customer.